Description:

This book in effect addresses the following questions: (1) During World War II what were all of the divisions and larger ground forces units fielded by Germany as well as by its major European allies (Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Rumania, and Slovakia)? (2) Month-to-month during the European War what were the key unit lifetime events—additions, redesignations, inter-theater movements, and removals—of the German and European Axis divisions and major headquarters? (3) What were Hitler’s all-theater orders of battle on key dates such as 1 September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland—and on 22 June 1941 when Germany invaded Russia? (4) What were the German/Axis lineups during battles such as at El Alamein, Stalingrad, Kursk, Sicily, and the December 1944 Ardennes offensive? (5) And who were Adolf Hitler’s senior staff officers and field commanders responsible for ground operations? This book includes twenty-one appendices, an annotated bibliography, and extensive endnotes.